

Lazio – Benevento
By: cathal | August 22nd, 2008Once again the new season is upon us and once again nobody knows quite what to expect. A fairly successful mercato has been met with a fairly unsuccessful pre-season and as Serie A looms, we face our first test in what is effectively, the third round of the Coppa Italia. The squad will be hoping to go a couple of steps further than last year and replicate this:

In all honesty, this should not be much of a test. Yes, it’s the Coppa Italia and yes, we should take it seriously but the opponent is one Benevento Calcio, a side from the Lega Pro Prima Divisione. Confused? Don’t be. I have done my homework and I have everything you need to know about them.
Let me start by pointing out that the Lega Pro Prima Divisione is the new title for what was once Serie C1 and Benevento are new to the league having been promoted last year from Serie C2/C. Now on that information alone, you can easily see why we shouldn’t be getting too worried. However, Benevento have already caused a mini-upset in the competition by defeating Treviso in the previous round (I know Treviso are hardly world-beaters, but they were a Serie A side 3 years ago). This result, coupled with the fact that Benevento are brimming with confidence after a successful promotion campaign, makes them a potential banana skin for us.

If we field our strongest side, there should be no issues. However, five of our men were on midweek international duty, so there are some weary legs in the team and unfortunately we haven’t a full squad to choose from either. Kolarov, Radu, Dabo, Firmani, Belleri and of course, Rocchi are all unavailable. It is thought Lichtsteiner will play at left back and De Silvestri, having returned from Olympic duty, will start at right back. Meghni will probably slot into the midfield while Pandev and Mauri are expected to play the support roles to Makinwa. Foggia and Zarate could well be introduced in the second half. The general belief is that we will attack Benevento and field an attacking side whatever the actual starting line-up may be. In Benevento’s team, keep an eye out for Felice Evacuo, some of you may remember him and kudos go to those of you who do; he played a few games for us back in the day, so to speak. Also keep an eye out for the captain, Imbriani. Expect him to be their strongest player.
Overall we should have more than enough quality for Benevento but as pundits tend to state all too often, there are no easy games in football and we shouldn’t take Benevento lightly. I’m just hoping the boy below can silence us critics by putting a few goals past them and as a result, put a big, fat smile on each of our faces. Forza Lazio!

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Comments
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You need a goal-scorer and targetman in the position Makinwa will probably play in this match. However, Makinwa is neither a goal-scorer or targetman as he is useless at holding the ball up and bringing others into play. I think we should play Simone Inzaghi instead of Makinwa.
Don’t you think Inzaghi would be a better choice to play in this position??
Posted from
United Kingdom

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Inzaghi
He hasnt even trained with the rest of the Lazio squad this season.. of course maybe he could be added to the squad as a substitute and maybe he could (hopefully) get some goals under his belt to increase his current “value”..Posted from
United States

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Is Inzaghi in the squad for todays match??
Posted from
United Kingdom

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Inzaghi is not in the squad. Here it is:
LAZIO (4-3-2-1) 1 Carrizo; 29 De Silvestri, 13 Siviglia, 22 Rozehnal, 2 Lichtsteiner; 23 Meghni, 24 Ledesma, 8 Matuzalem; 19 Pandev, 11 Mauri; 26 Makinwa. (86 Muslera, 87 Diakite, 25 Cribari, 68 Manfredini, 17 Foggia, 10 Zarate, 90 Mendicino).
Posted from
Canada

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The final squad is what t Italian media were speculating. Mutarelli and Inzaghi would have been suitable for this game so there absence appears to be long-term. Good to see Mendicino on the bench, seems like he will get his fair share of chances this season.
Posted from
Ireland

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So this Mutarelli and Inzaghi situation still isn’t sorted.
I thought Rossi called Inzaghi back as a replacement for the injured Rocchi??
So Inzaghi’s future at Lazio is still uncertain??Posted from
United States

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No, neither player’s future is resolved. The major issue with Inzaghi is trying to find a club who will pay that high salary for his ability. He may be integrated into the squad for the Cagliari game, but if he can be sold, he will and also, if we can get someone else in on loan (such as Crespo), then I think Inzaghi will be loaned out or something.
Posted from
Ireland

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cathal, I really can’t see Inzaghi moving on now with only 1 week of the market left.
Again, Makinwa disappointed against Benevento and Rossi really should start playing Inzaghi as he is our best option to replace Rocchi for the start of the season which is fast approaching.Posted from
United States

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I have to agree, Inzaghi seems committed to the club, he earns a high wage and I don’t think he wants to go. That in itself is a problem but like you said, he could still do a job for us and I believe Mutarelli and Baronio can too. However, the club needs to make a decision and stick by it. These guys have been cast aside all summer and if the club were unable to offload them then they should have been integrated into the squad much earlier. The club can’t decide that Inzaghi is needed now when they clearly didn’t see any need for him in any of the past three years. If they want to sell these players and they can be sold then they should be sold, otherwise, they are contracted to be part of the squad and that’s what they should be.
Posted from
Ireland

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